RISE: Merkel, madness, meet highlight what to know today

Germany's chancellor meets with President Trump, NCAA Tournament's second day tips off, Catholic's need not avoid corned beef, and more you need to know for Friday, March 17, 2017.

Staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON — After accusing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the campaign trail of "ruining Germany" by welcoming refugees, President Donald Trump will have his first face-to-face meeting with the German leader at the White House on Friday.

The two were expected to discuss strengthening the NATO alliance, collaborating to fight terrorism and taking steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, White House officials said. The meeting originally was scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed because of the winter storm that impacted the northeast.

TOURNAMENT CONTINUES

Duke, Kansas and North Carolina – three of the most popular picks to win this year's NCAA Tournament – begin their trek toward the title as they open play today. Duke faces Troy (7:20 p.m. Eastern), Kansas plays UC-Davis (6:50 p.m.), and North Carolina takes on Texas Southern (4 p.m.).

Trump plans to host a "listening session" at the White House with Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and representatives from the various service organizations that advocate for military veterans, spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Veterans' groups have been seeking to meet with Trump since he took office in January. Trump has held multiple listening sessions with different groups, but Friday's session would be Trump's first with veterans, a constituency he has promised to take care of.

OHIO CATHOLICS HOPING FOR CORNED BEEF TODAY ARE IN LUCK

St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday this year, but Catholic carnivores need not fear.

The corned beef tradition doesn't have to be forgotten, as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus will grant people a dispensation from the Lenten obligation not to eat meat, according to George Jones, diocese spokesman.

TILLERSON CONTINUES ASIA TRIP

TOKYO — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on North Korea on Thursday to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, saying the isolated nation "need not fear" the United States.

He said his trip to Asia was intended to get input from other governments. Tillerson, who is traveling without the usual contingent of journalists who normally cover the secretary of state, will be in South Korea on Friday and then China on Saturday.